British beer long appreciated by connoisseurs, in it's variety and depth of taste, you can spend a lifetime in the UK and still not taste all the varieties, often it is more a case of hunting for them, there are many small "micro brewers" supplying local pubs.

The Anchor, Bankside old pub almost overlooking St Paul's, and frequented by Pepy's Good for drinks outside on the balcony / beer garden on summer evenings, close to the Globe Theatre, Borough Market area and Tate modern. see the free walk at self guide and watching the Thames which passes by underneath you.

The Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich Park Row which has an unsurprisingly nautical décor, and top class views of the river. A nice place to have a drink in Greenwich, overlooks the river and has plenty of period charm. If it's too crowded, there are two more pubs nearby all on the edge of the river, so you can have a mini pub crawl of your own. join us on the greenwich walk which is listed for free at self guide.

Cutty Sark a couple of hundred metres to the east of the cutty sark along the riverfront is another - though the interior of this 1700's inn has been sadly modernised. see the greenwich walk which is listed for free at self guide

The Yacht Crane Street, which is not only conveniently located for the historical areas of this riverside borough and has the Thames under its terrace. see the greenwich walk which is listed for free at self guide

The Gun Coldharbour Lane on the Isle of Dogs sadly now the haunt of yuppies instead of docker's. This hostelry is named after the former gun yard next door, where the Royal Navy's cannons were made in the 17th century.
Admiral Nelson reputedly used a bedroom upstairs while awaiting fitting out one of his ships; Lady Hamilton meanwhile was quartered next door at Isle House.

Waterman's Arms Isle of Dogs which is a high-ceilinged Victorian pub nicely refurbished in music-hall décor and which has live shows very much in the English music hall tradition.

The Grapes Narrow Street Limehouse, one of the quaintest pubs on the river, with a tiny balcony over the water. The bar itself is only about 14 feet wide and Charles Dickens wrote about it in "Our Mutual Friend" while the American-born resident of Chelsea, Whistler, painted it. see the wapping walk which is listed for free at self guide.

The Mayflower Rotherhithe. 17th century, riverside inn complete with lattice windows, whitewash timbering and a balcony view of the spot from which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed. Said to be the only tavern in London that is licensed to sell both British and US stamps.

The Angel close to the Mayflower once Captain Cook's "local" between those sea voyages that widened the world. It also happens to be opposite the execution dock of Judge Jeffries but is a very friendly haunt these days. The balcony affords some pretty stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Prospect of Whitby

The Prospect of Whitby (57 Wapping Wall, E1) claimed as an old smugglers' pub on the Thames, well still got plenty of plenty of character, one of my local's, in the 60's was frequented by Rugby players on a Saturday with weirdly a Hawaiian band playing (many glasses were thrown into the Thames and were then collected by my friend "Doddy" and his giant alsation dog! when the tide was out) and on a Sunday jazz unusual! off Glamis road which is off the Highway E1 & close to Cable Street not very accessible if you are driving, see the wapping walk which is listed for free at self guide.

The George, Borough High Street. If you see only one pub this is it, not a London boozer with the "local pub" feeling, but the is only remaining old galleried coaching Inn. used to be my local, and was inhabited by the student doctors from nearby Guy's It's now a national monument, and preserved by English Heritage, and close to borough Market, see the free walk at self guide which passes by.

The Black Friar, one of the most outstanding pubs in Britain, corner of Queen Victoria St and Blackfriars Rd Pre-Raphaelite murals.

Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, at the top of Chancery Lane, famous old pub with superb interior - go to the back of the pub for the best bits.

Dickens Inn - in St. Katherine's Way is a traditional wooden beamed and wooden floored pub The pub has an interesting setting over looking Tower Bridge and a Marina with the boats and walkways. 25 years on present site in St Katherine's dock - but the building is older converted from an old brewery. see the wapping walk which is listed for free at self guide.

Lamb and Flag - Rose St, Covent Garden - old pub in side street opposite the Garrick Club

Olde Cheshire Cheese - 145 Fleet Street. Pub frequented by Dickens Thackeray, Dickens' chair is reputedly still where he left it.

The Grapes, Shepherd Market W1 Victorian pub which this small part of Mayfair takes its name, close to Piccadilly, Berkley Square and Green Park.

Dog and Duck Bateman Street Soho - very small, frequented by advertising and film workers.

Samuel Pepys, at Brooks Wharf in Upper Thames Street, a former warehouse, close to see the city walk which is listed for free at self guide.

The Crown Albert Embankment opposite the Tate Gallery. One of the best Thames-side Victorian pubs with splendid views of the Houses of Parliament, Lambeth Palace and the wharves which line the river banks.

The Kings Head and Eight Bells Cheyne Walk Chelsea. In the 18th century this was actually two pubs: The Kings Head for Naval officers, and the Eight Bells, for ratings. set-back a bit from the embankment, from which it is separated by an elegant garden. The historian Carlyle's house across the street is now a museum.

The Doves Hammersmith a licensed hostelry for more than 400 years and is today the haunt of river men as well as literary and artistic people. An unspoilt 17th century building, beamy and dark with an open fire. The outside terrace with a vine hundreds of years old offers a good view of the Thames. famous customers included Graham Greene, Earnest Hemmingway and AW. Herbert.

City Barge Strand-on-the Green, Chiswick,. Queen Elizabeth I granted this low-beamed inn a charter back in 1484 and the old portion is much as she would have seen it.

London Apprentice at Isleworth an attractive Elizabethan inn situated on a bend in the river frequented by swans. King Henry VIII and his wives slept here, en route to Hampton Court, King Charles II also enjoyed the hospitality on offer. The terrace give a very peaceful prospect of Kew across the river.

If you have a favourite or unusual pub let us know

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About the Author:
Paul Atkinson has spent almost 45 years in the service and support industry.
He has moved his expertise to the world wide web helping travellers find services and to enjoy London and the UK as much as he does. You can contact Paul content.editor@holiday-guide.org.uk

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